Bennell’s collision course with Suns

PRIZED Fremantle recruit Harley Bennell could be just weeks away from an AFL return against the Suns after he made it through Saturday’s WAFL hitout unscathed.

Bennell, playing his first match in 16 months, was solid in his 60 minutes of action for Peel Thunder against East Perth at Leederville Oval.

Bennell will play at least two more games for Peel before a possible Dockers debut in Round 20 in Perth against the club that delisted him.

Playing as a forward, Bennell tallied 12 disposals and a goal before being wrapped in cotton wool. Peel Thunder won the match 12.7 (79) to 7.9 (51).

Bennell joined the Dockers at the end of 2015, but is yet to play a senior game for the club because of chronic calf issues.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon was on hand to watch Bennell, and he would have been breathing a sigh of relief after watching his star midfielder make it through unscathed.

“We managed his minutes pretty well but we also managed his distance and speed,” Fremantle football operations manager Chris Bond said. “It was important for Harley and it was great to see.”